Reviews

Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

rdreading9's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

lrcartee's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

Im not sure how I’m feeling about this book. Initial reaction is that I wanted to like it more than I did. So many characters. I had the same issues with his first book but upon re-reading that one, I liked it much better. I think both books are those types that need to be read multiple times to really grasp the whole thing. I will refrain from giving stars just yet as I know I need to give it more time.

gabrielag's review against another edition

sad slow-paced

2.0

andihoelzel's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

sevenseventeen's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

5.0

theangrylibrarian's review against another edition

dark emotional funny sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction

catfactory's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Not sure if any books I read after this in 2024 will be better. I don't really even know how to describe what happens but I suppose it's the history of a family, of addiction, of our country's inability to take responsibility. Identity in all of its forms are fully part of the narrative, in fact that's the narrative: who are we? The plot, such as it is, is just following the through line of addiction in one family and how each generation handles it. But the tendrils of the story reach out into trauma, queerness, parenthood, abandonment, friendship, and sibling love.

The systems that continue to oppress Native Americans are also very front and center, as is the history of the United States' attempt to eradicate Native culture. 

That all sounds really heavy and it is, but Orange's writing is beautifully personal and plain. This made reading even the most painful parts of the story feel as if they were the reader's own thoughts.

Heed all trigger warnings for this book, however.

epbenton's review against another edition

dark sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

danielmedelman's review against another edition

hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

unfurlthecurl's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0